Geological evolution and mineralisation

Abstract

It was six men of lndostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind. The first ... his broad and sturdy side. . . . very like a wall! The second, . . . the tusk. . . . very like a spear! The third . . . the squirming trunk. . . . very like a snake! The fourth . . . felt about the knee; .. . very like a tree. The fifth . . . the ear, . . . very like a fan! The sixth . . . the swinging tail . . . very like a rope! And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! So, oft in geologic wars The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean. And prate about an elephant Not one of them has seen! Cf. "The Blind Men and the Elephant" by John G. Saxe.